March 2022 Meeting Minutes

EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

MARCH 3, 2022

The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District was called to order by Chairman Allyn Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Present were Commissioners Allyn Jackson, James Schaefer (8:17 p.m.), Stephen Gregory, Michael Mattera and Ed Seltenreich, Fire District Facilities Supervisor Dave Schaffauer, 2nd Assistant Chief Keith Phillips, Treasurer Colleen Pearsall and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

FIRE DISTRICT FACILITIES SUPERVISOR REPORT

See attached report.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Mr. Schaffauer will purchase two garage door openers to be used in two of the Station 2 vehicles.

EMS OPERATIONAL REPORT

Mr. Patel not in attendance.

See attached report.

STAFF REPORT

1. Noted.

2. A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, approving the hiring of Miranda Schultz (EMT-CC) as an On Call First Responder, at an hourly pay rate of $25.00. Approved 4-0.

3. A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, approving the re-hiring of Nicholas Knoebel as an On Call First Responder, at an hourly pay rate of $26.00. Approved 4-0.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

1. A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of the medical supplies requested from Hammer Medical, at a total cost of $278.37. Approved 4-0.

2. A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the renewal of the ESO Software, at a cost of $4,368.06. Approved 4-0.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Maintenance Report dated 2/1/2022 to 2/28/2022 submitted to the Board.

Mr. Schaffauer advised the Board that he is waiting for parts for the Brush Truck.

CHIEF'S REPORT

REQUESTS

1. Board requested that the Chiefs not include reminders of open items in the report.

2. A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, authoring the purchase from Hearth.com of six (6) Underwater Scuba Dive Lights Bright IPX8, at a cost of $25.00 each and six (6) Princeton Tec LED Aqua Strobe Beacons, at a cost of $23.31 each. Approved 4-0.

3. Mr. Schaffauer will take the members’ EMS jackets to Good Ground Cleaners.

4. Waiting for pricing.

5. Waiting for pricing.

6. Mr. Schaffauer will handle.

7. Tabled.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Progress.

2. Waiting for pricing.

3. Tabled.

4. Noted.

5. Noted.

6. Commissioner Jackson advised 2^nd Assistant Chief Phillips that the Board has decided to keep 7-6-7 and to use it as a Fire Police On Scene Emergency Vehicle and to refurbish the interior to accommodate necessary emergency equipment.

A resolution was drawn up and states as follows:

2022-19. The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to rescind Resolution 2022-18 which was adopted at the February 3, 2022 Regular Monthly Meeting and to keep 7-6-7, the 1995 Smeal Heavy Rescue Truck, for use as a Fire Police On Scene Emergency Vehicle and to refurbish the interior to accommodate necessary emergency equipment.

The adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call the vote was as follows:

Commissioner Allyn Jackson - Aye

Commissioner James Schaefer - Aye

Commissioner Stephen Gregory - Aye

Commissioner Michael Mattera - Aye

Commissioner Ed Seltenreich - Aye

The resolution was thereupon duly declared to have been adopted.

Commissioner Jackson reminded 2^nd Assistant Chief Phillips that, when the Chiefs are going to be out-of-town for more than just a few days, they must notify the Board in advance.

Commissioner Jackson advised the Chief that, since the Department members’ uniforms and gear will be inspected prior to the Inspection Dinner and the fact that members will not be required to dress in their Class A unforms, the Inspection Dinner will then be called the Annual Awards Dinner.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass not in attendance.

Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that he spoke with Mr. Glass concerning the District’s Employee Handbook and that Mr. Glass will put something together for the District.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, accepting the Minutes of the February 3, 2022 Regular Monthly Meeting. Approved 5-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mrs. Pearsall advised the Board that the Hometown Insurance premium to increase the Surety Bond for the Treasurer from $975,000.00 to $2,500,000.00 will cost an additional $24.00.

A resolution was drawn up and states as follows:

2022-20. The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to increase the Treasurer’s Surety Bond from $975,000.00 to $2,500,000.00 at an additional premium cost of $24.00.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving adoption of Resolution 2022-20. Approved 5-0.

Mrs. Pearsall asked the Board for clarification of the two hour Recall Policy. The policy is that, if an On Call First Responder is not on the premises and is not scheduled to work and is called to come in, he or she would be entitled to receive an incentive of an additional two (2) hours of pay for the shift. The Lead Paramedic and Fire District Facilities Supervisor are also entitled to the Recall Policy whenever they spend their off time filling vacant shifts and, in the case of the Facilities Supervisor, look for custodial personnel to fill in or help out with a shift or contacting vendors to help with an issue.

Tabled. Commissioner Jackson will contact Mr. Glass regarding the On Call First Responders and part-time Custodial Workers sick time policy. It was understood that part-timers would be entitled to thirty-six (36) hours of annual sick time and, if not used, they would receive half (18 hours) in pay.

Mrs. Pearsall advised the Board that, in order to pay bills on time and avoid last fees and other charges, she will leave the “Bills To Be Paid” folder on the conference table so that the bills can be reviewed and vouchers signed prior to the Monthly Meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Approved 5-0.

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 23 checks totaling $28,488.87 and to authorize the transfer of $100,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account. Approved 5-0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

A letter was received from the Department regarding the resignation of Chris Smith and the probationary membership in the Department of Robert Despres, Jr.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Seletenreich advised the Board that he is working on the Employee Handbook and that the electrical work in the Main Firehouse is almost complete. He also advised the Board that the work at Station 2 has been completed and that the engineer’s report will follow.

Commissioner Gregory advised the Board that the two estimates regarding the elevator amounted to $64,000.00 and $95,000.00 depending on what the Board decided to do. Tabled.

Commissioner Gregory also presented a proposal from Tauruscustompaintinginc for the painting and powerwashing of the Main Firehouse, in the amount of $23,400.00. Tabled.

It was suggested that the water cooler be replaced due to the fact that the water coming out of the cooler is discolored.

Commissioner Schaefer advised the Board that about half of the membership have taken their physicals and that he advised NDI that the Board approved prostate testing to be included as part of the physical.

Commissioner Schaefer presented the following proposals from Pine Edge Landscaping for the 2022 Full Property Maintenance:

                        Main Firehouse - $7,211.00

                        Station 2 - $7,601.00

A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, accepting the proposals from Pine Edge Landscaping for the 2022 Full Property Maintenance of the Main Firehouse, at a cost of $7,211.00 and for Station 2, at a cost of $7,601.00. Approved 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, requesting that the monthly reports from the Fire District Facilities Supervisor, Lead Paramedic and Chiefs be submitted to the Board by the last Thursday of the month.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, accepting the resignation of Chris Smith from the Department and the probationary membership of Robert Despres, Jr. in the Department. Approved 5-0.

A workshop was scheduled for Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

At 8:55 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, to adjourn the meeting. Approved 5-0.

Submitted by

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Lorraine Gregory, Secretary